CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK: Atlanta, Georgia

Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, Georgia

When I was in Atlanta, Georgia, in February, I spent a day in Centennial Olympic Park visiting both the Center for Civil and Human rights and the World of Coca-Cola. (see my previous posts) The park is at the edge of downtown and was created for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. It is close to a number of  major museums and attractions including College Football Hall of Fame, the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center and Imagine It! The Children’s Museum.

Center for Civil and Human Rights, Pemberton Place

On my way to the museums I passed a variety of sculptures and  a series of pools, linked by a waterfalls and a rushing stream.

Rock and Water Garden

The day of my visit was chilly and windy, so not many people were in the park, but I could tell that on a warm spring or summer day, it would be the perfect place to relax, or, if you were so warm you wanted to cool off, to play in the fountains. 

Fountain of Rings with Georgia Stadium in the background

Here is a description of the fountains from the park website: Not only is it one of the most sophisticated fountains in the world, the Fountain of Rings is also the world’s largest interactive fountain to incorporate the Olympic Rings symbol. Children of all ages play in the Fountain and enjoy the synchronized water and music program where water dances to familiar tunes complete with sound and lighting effects. It’s free to view the Fountain of Rings show, which plays four times a day, 365 days a year, at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. (Make a Splash in the Fountain of Rings)

One of the many Olympic themed sculptures in the park

Centennial Olympic Park is about a ten minute walk from the Ellis hotel where I was staying. I simply followed the trolley tracks to get to the park, passing the giant ferris wheel on my way. One can also ride the trolley, which does a circle route from downtown past the park. In between my museum visits I ate lunch in one of the many restaurants that surround the park. Then, at the end of the afternoon, I took a stroll through the park back to my hotel. Despite the brisk weather, I enjoyed my day in Centennial Olympic Park.

Skyview Atlanta Ferris wheel, across from the park entrance

THE WORLD OF COCA-COLA, Atlanta, Georgia

John Pemberton statue, Centennial Park, Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia is the birthplace of Coca-Cola, the drink invented by druggist John Pemberton, whose statue can be seen outside the World of Coca-Cola museum in Centennial Park. Coca-Cola was first introduced to the public in 1886. Now it can be found in every corner of the globe.

The World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta, Georgia

The World of Coca-Cola museum in Centennial Park at Pemberton Place is a tour through Coca-Cola's history and world impact. I visited several weeks ago when I was in Atlanta.

Caroline and the Coca-Cola Polar Bear

After buying my ticket I went into the entry lobby and received my free bottle of Coca-Cola (actually a can shaped like a bottle) to drink while I waited with a group of other visitors to be ushered into a theater for the introductory video, a “celebration of life’s Moments of Happiness”, all of which, not surprisingly included Coca-Cola. While we waited we were welcomed and entertained by a very cheerful guide.

My digital art creation in the Pop Culture Gallery

From there, we were free to explore the museum on our own. I toured the wall of historic photos, took a look at a demonstration of the bottling process in action, visited the vault of the secret formula, created my own piece of digital art in the Pop Culture Gallery, and had my photo taken with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear. In the tasting room I had the opportunity to try 100 flavors of Coca-Cola drinks from around the world, but declined. And from there I exited through the gift shop, where one could buy everything from Coca-Cola pajamas to reproductions of the original bottles.

Eight choices of the 100 flavors available to try in the Taste It Room

One of the exhibits in the museum provided pencil and paper and invited visitors to write the story of an important moment in their lives in which Coca-Cola played a part. I didn’t do it at the time, but it started me thinking. When I was growing up in the 1950's, soft drinks, which we called pop, were only for special occasions. I have memories of going to the local drugstore and sitting on a stool at the counter and ordering a five cent coke. The “soda jerk” then squirted coke syrup into the bottom of glass and filled the rest of the glass with carbonated water. We could also get a cherry coke or lemon coke with the addition of some fruit syrup. We sipped our drinks through straws while twirling on our stools. I loved the sugary taste. Now, I rarely drink soft drinks of any kind. They are too sweet. But apparently, the rest of the world still loves Coca-Cola.

SRF MEDITATION GARDEN, Encinitas, CA: A Quiet Haven at the Edge of the Sea

View of the Pacific Ocean from the SRF Meditation Garden, Encinitas, CA

Perched on the edge of a steep cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean is a beautifully landscaped garden retreat. Its paths wander through shaded passageways, past a running stream and series of koi ponds, a variety of flower beds and open patios, to spectacular vistas of the ocean and beach below. Throughout there are benches where one can sit and just enjoy the quiet beauty.

Internationally renowned gardens offer a diversity of colorful plants, meditation nooks, koi ponds, and spectacular ocean vistas

The garden is part of the Self-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Temple, in Encinitas, California, a coastal community just north of San Diego. In 1938 the Golden Lotus Temple was built by Paramahansa Yogananda on a point of land at the top of the cliffs that is now part of the garden. During the next four years, thousands attended the Thursday and Sunday services conducted by the Guru at this site. However, in 1942 the instability of the cliff required that the Temple be removed. A plaque now documents its location.

Site of the first Golden Lotus Temple

Since 1977 Temple services have been held in the Temple building a short distance from the entrance to the garden. The garden remains as a place where people can enjoy a “a unique inspirational setting where one can pray, study, meditate, or just sit quietly enjoying the expression of God’s beauty in nature.”

Protea flower

I visited the garden last week for the first time with my brother who was visiting San Diego from his home in New York. It was a warm, sunny day and quite a few other people were there as well, but it didn’t seem crowded. We entered through the gate at the bottom of the hill and made our way up the path to the koi ponds.

One of several koi ponds in the garden

We then followed the path parallel to the cliff top, stopping to explore side paths to enclosed patios, an empty swimming pool fronted by a beautiful tiled wall, and the site of the original Golden Lotus Temple, ending in a patio planted with a variety of cacti and plants appropriate to the Southern California climate. Birds were singing and as we gazed at the ocean below we could see dozens of surfers waiting for the next big wave. It was a perfect way to spend the day together.

Garden Entrance

Entry to the garden is free and near the entrance are restrooms and information about the Self Realization Fellowship.
For more about the Self-Realization Fellowship and Paraamahansa Yogananda, often referred to as the “Father of Yoga in the West”, go to the SRF website.
The Meditation Gardens are located at 215 W. K Street (between 2nd and 3rd Streets)
Open Tuesday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed Monday

HIGH MUSEUM OF ART, Atlanta, Georgia

Angel by Howard Finster, High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Georgia

I began my visit to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta in the Folk Art gallery on the top floor of the Stent Family Wing and then made my way downward via the semi-circular ramps that hug the walls of the large center atrium.

Interior of Stent Family Wing, High Museum of Art, Richard Meier, Architect

The featured exhibit in the Folk Art gallery is a display of colorful and lavishly decorated pieces created by Howard Finster, a Baptist minister who claimed to have had a vision telling him to create works of art to spread the Word of God.

Detail of panel: "Five kinds of art on this board--glass cutting, wood burning, enamel painting, beadcraft and hand printing"

In his lifetime (1916-2001) Finster made more than 40,000 works of art, using whatever materials he had at hand. The centerpiece of his work was Paradise Garden, an outdoor museum he built to celebrate all the inventions of mankind. Today the High Museum owns the largest public collection of objects from Paradise Garden. The richness of surfaces and creative use of materials in Finster's works brought to mind Simon Rodia’s Watts Towers in Los Angeles and the works of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona, Spain.

Howard Finster's Paradise Garden

There are multiple galleries at the High Museum and it was hard to know where to go next. What I like best about the permanent exhibit of American art was the combination of paintings and decorative arts (furniture) in the same gallery.

Chair and Window by Frank Lloyd Wright

There were two photographic exhibits on view–one showing works from the collection of Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon and Garry Winogrand, many of them familiar, and another celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at home with his family, 1962, photo by James Karalas

On the lower level of the Stent Family Wing I visited the exhibit I See a Story: The Art of Eric Carle, (see my post at my Art and Books blog) and then walked through the adjacent gallery of African art, which had a fascinating display of masks.

Untitled, Stainless Steel Sculpture by Anish Kapoor

I finished my tour of the museum in the spacious Modern and Contemporary Art galleries. Throughout the museum visitors are invited to take photographs. I couldn’t resist trying to catch my reflections in a sculpture that was, essentially, a large, faceted mirror.

My reflection

I had lunch (a tasty freshly made sandwich) at the museum in one of the two cafes. There is also a larger more formal restaurant on the plaza. My visit to the High Museum was part of a recent trip to Georgia with my husband, Art, who was there on business. My photos here a just a sampling of the many highlights of the museum. Altogether, I had a very satisfying day that made me want to go back on future trips to Atlanta.

ULUWATU TEMPLE, Bali, Indonesia: Watch Out for Monkeys! Guest Post by Tom Scheaffer

Monkey with egg, Uluwatu, Indonesia

My brother, Tom Scheaffer, recently returned from a three week trip to Indonesia. Here is his report and some of his photos from his visit to a famous Hindu temple, Uluwatu (Pura Luhur), in Bali.

Uluwatu Temple, Bali, Indonesia

Recently I visited Bali, Indonesia. One of my favorite places is the Uluwatu Temple, a Hindu temple built at the edge of a 70 meter cliff projecting in the sea. The main religion is Bali is Hinduism. and there are temples throughout the island. All visitors must wear a sarong to enter the Uluwatu temple.

Temple guardian statue at Uluwatu

Uluwatu is known for the monkeys that inhabit the temple area, and also it is a famous surf spot with large waves. 

Tom, overlooking the beach below Uluwatu

As I was walking along the pathway above the ocean I warned my friend to be careful with his hat as the monkeys are notorious for snatching visitors' belongings.

Monkey at Uluwatu

At that moment I felt my prescription glasses being snatched off my face. It happened so fast I didn't even see the monkey until I saw it scamper off into the forest with my glasses! Luckily a park worker was nearby and followed the monkey and gave it an egg and it dropped the glasses. I was so relieved!

Statue within the Uluwatu complex

[Note from The Intrepid Tourist: Tom's encounter with the monkey reminds me of the children's book story of Curious George and the man with the yellow hat!]

CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS, Atlanta, Georgia

Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta, Georgia

Last week, on a trip to Atlanta, Georgia, I went to the Center for Civil and Human Rights, a visit particularly meaningful as this is February, which is Black History Month, and especially in light of current events in the U.S. and around the world.

Mural in the lobby at the entrance to the museum

Located at the end of Centennial Mall on the edge of downtown Atlanta, the museum has three floors of exhibits–The American Civil Rights Movement (second floor), Human Rights (third floor), and special exhibits on the ground floor.

The entrance to the museum from the plaza is on the second floor and from there I proceeded to the American Civil Rights exhibits through a gauntlet of photos from the years of segregation.

Entrance to exhibits chronicling the American Civil Rights Movement

The left side depicts all white schools, churches, parties, social events and sports under a neon sign “White” and on the opposite wall, under a neon “Colored” sign, is a collage of parallel events from the “colored” world.

Aerial photo of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, August 28, 1963, and Leaders' Itinerary

At the other end of the entrance hall are a series of rooms packed with photos, quotations, videos, interactive exhibits chronicling Jim Crow laws, the battle for school desegregation, voting rights, freedom riders, the march on Washington for jobs and freedom, and much more. 

One can sit on a stool, like those at the lunch counters where sit-ins took place, and put on earphones that allow you to experience vicariously the epithets and abuse heaped on the sit-in participants. The Civil Rights exhibit ends with the assassination of Martin Luther King.

The stairway to the third floor of the museum, a replica of the Lorraine Motel where he was killed, leads to exhibits focusing on human rights worldwide.

In contrast with the dark rooms of the second floor, the upper floor of the museum are filled with light from the tall glass windows. Large panels and interactive exhibits invite the participation of viewers.

Justice We Shall Pursue (2010-2013), Quilt donated by the Peach State Stitchers

A beautiful quilt titled "Justice We Shall Pursue" depicting a tree of life surrounded by quotes and colorful patches representing 42 countries of the world hangs in one of the galleries on the third floor. "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." This quote, in the center of the quilt, attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt, reflects the hope that people will keep working to make the world a better place.

On the lower level of the museum is a gallery for special exhibits, currently showing a selection of the Martin Luther King papers in the Morehouse College collection. These include papers and his transcript from his student years, notes and syllabi from courses he taught, favorite books, and more. (Photographs were not permitted.)

TOKYO TRAFFIC: From the Memoir of Aunt Carolyn

Sightseeing in Tokyo

My husband's Aunt, Carolyn T. Arnold, traveled to Japan in the 1960's and 70's as the leader of a tour group. Here is her description of the challenges of traffic in Tokyo. Although she took many photos during her years of traveling, some, including many of Japan, were on film that deteriorated.The above photo is one of ours from our trip to Tokyo in 1995.

Traffic in Tokyo is a nightmare. If you think State Street in Chicago during rush hour is crazy, try a taxi ride in Tokyo. The Japanese drive on the left side of the street. The new thoroughfares are wide and straight in the heart of the city and are marked in lanes like ours. Most taxis are compact size; a large taxi costs more. It appears that drivers either have not learned to stay in their lanes or maybe because the cars are small, the drivers think two cars can drive in one lane. One day one of my group who was sitting on the left shrieked as a “kamikaze” driver whizzed past us allowing only a few millimeters for passing.

Pedestrians in Japan, crossing a street where signals are few, may land on the doorstep of the Imperial Palace before they are aware of what hit them. There is a correct way for a person to cross the street. Often one will find a tin receptacle about the size of a three-pound coffee can nailed to a light post at a street crossing. A person wishing to cross the street takes a yellow flag from the container, steps off the curb, and waves the flag wildly as he crosses the street. All traffic comes to a grinding, scre-e-ching halt. The pedestrian then crosses and deposits the flag in the container on the other side of the street. It takes guts to step onto the street in front of oncoming trucks and cars. Peter, our youngest member, dared me to be the first one to lead the way. However, he decided he wanted to be first, so we followed safely behind him.

Each day we had the same driver for sightseeing tours. To mark our bus from many other tourist buses, we used the name of our tour “Brownell World Tour” and posted it on the windsheild. On one tour the sign painter apparently did not read English very well. He confused my name with the tour name so each day there was a different spelling on the windshield, much to the amusement of the group. One day it was “Caryn Round Tour.” We all laughed about our renamed tour. The next day the sign read “Around Caryn Tour.” It became an exciting serial to see what it would be next. On the last day, the sign was spelled correctly, and we all applauded.

Perhaps the original intrepid tourist was Carolyn Arnold, my husband’s aunt.  A single school teacher in Des Moines, she began traveling abroad when she was in her forties, beginning with a bicycling trip through Ireland in 1950.  She went on from there to spend a year as a Fulbright Exchange Teacher in Wales, to more trips to Europe and beyond, and eventually became a tour leader, taking all her nieces and nephews (including Art) on her travels.  When she retired from teaching, she wrote of her experiences in a memoir called Up and Down and Around the World with Carrie.  Today, as I read of her travels, I marvel at her spirit of adventure at a time when women did not have the independence they do today.